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best affordable rolling duffel
eBags Mother Lode Large Checked Rolling Duffel
Pros
- Can be carried or rolled
- Three exterior zip pockets
Cons
- Only available in black and gray
I'm not kidding when I say that this rolling duffel bag can hold a lot of sh*t. Pretty much every reviewer is astonished by just how much you can fit inside. It's also lightweight, easy to pack, and can go from a rolling suitcase to an over-the-shoulder bag in the blink of an eye—and who doesn't love that type of versatility?!
| Dimensions | 29 x 17 x 15 inches |
|---|---|
| Weight | 5.45 pounds |
| Colors | 2 |
best affordable hardside carry-on
SwissGear Hardside Carry-On Suitcase
Pros
- Comes with a USB charging port and TSA-approved lock
- Has a self-repairing zipper
Cons
- Pricey compared to some other brands
If you're looking for a lightweight and affordable luggage option, you've officially found it. Made from durable polycarbonate, this 19-inch hardside carry-on was built to last—yes, even through major turbulence, airport havoc, and allll the unpaved streets in between (hello, Europe). That top-floor Airbnb will be a hell of a lot easier to handle with this bad boy, trust me.
| Dimensions | 13.5 x 8.5 x 22.75 inches |
|---|---|
| Weight | 6.59 pounds |
| Colors | 5 |
best affordable spinner carry-on
Samsonite Underseat Carry-On Spinner
Now 33% Off
Pros
- Built-in USB port
- So! Freaking! Cute!
Cons
- Not suitable for long trips on its own
Spinner wheels are my kryptonite. I move fairly aggressively through life—airport included—so wheels that can handle my abrupt movements always get an A+ from me. These spinner wheels, in particular, are attached to the cutest underseat bag from Samsonite, aka the perfect purple-y buddy for your carry-on or checked bag. The softside exterior makes it easy to squeeze into small spaces, so you can eliminate at least a little bit of stress during your travel journey.
| Dimensions | 9 x 13.5 x 16.5 inches |
|---|---|
| Weight | 5.5 pounds |
| Colors | 2 |
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best affordable expandable luggage
American Tourister Stratum 2.0 Expandable Hardside Luggage
Now 20% Off
Pros
- Can expand by one inch
- Cute colors galore
Cons
- Opinions are mixed on the quality of the zipper
American Tourister is one of those brands that's known for being both affordable and reliable—two of my fave things, obvi. And this particular piece of large luggage from the company should be put on your radar ASAP if you're looking for something durable and expandable. There are so many cute colors to choose from, too. My personal faves? Purple Haze and Soft Coral.
| Dimensions | 20.09 x 12.5 x 30.95 inches |
|---|---|
| Weight | 14.22 pounds |
| Colors | 14 |
best affordable rolling carry-on
Steve Madden 15-Inch Carry-On Suitcase
Pros
- Built-in toiletry bag
- Fits perfectly under your airline seat
Cons
- Handle is a little short, per some reviewers
News flash: Steve Madden makes more than just super cute shoes. They also make incredibly chic and affordable pieces of luggage, and if I'm the first person to break that news to you, then you are so welcome. The main compartment on this carry-on is beyond spacious, and the brown trim makes everything look extra elevated. The U-shaped zipper you see on the front also opens up into a toiletry bag, which means it's basically two pieces in one—chef's kiss!
| Dimensions | 15 x 9 x 14 inches |
|---|---|
| Weight | 5 pounds |
| Colors | 8 |
best affordable large duffel
Calpak Stevyn Large Rolling Duffel
Now 25% Off
Pros
- Large bottom compartment for shoes
- Spacious as hell
Cons
- Only two rolling wheels
You've definitely seen Calpak on Insta before, and they sure know what they're doing when it comes to travel bags. While I wouldn't file their entire product line under "affordable," this duffel falls way below the so-expensive-I'll-go-into-debt line. It's a gorgeous neutral blue color and can hold a lot, meaning that you can use it on any type of trip. (No, like, one reviewer said they managed to pack two weeks' worth of clothes into this baby.) The roller wheels on the bottom make it easy to carry around, too, no matter where you're heading.
| Dimensions | 26 x 14.5 x 13 inches |
|---|---|
| Weight | 7.1 pounds |
| Colors | 7 |
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best affordable softside luggage
Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside Expandable Carry-On Luggage
Now 15% Off
Pros
- Expands up to two inches
- Fits easily in an overhead compartment
Cons
- Only two wheels
Although I'm a hardshell girlie 'til I die, this piece of luggage might (might!) convince me to go soft. It's available in 12 colors, is ultra-light and durable, and even expands two whole inches—meaning that you basically have to shop for souvenirs on your trip, right? Another plus: It's made from a stain-resistant and water-repellant fabric to combat all the oopsies that are bound to happen during your travels.
| Dimensions | 21 x 14 x 9 inches |
|---|---|
| Weight | 5.4 pounds |
| Colors | 12 |
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best durable affordable luggage
DELSEY PARIS Helium Aero Hardside Expandable Luggage
Pros
- Fully-lined interior pockets
- Made of resilient polycarbonate
Cons
- Not the cheapest
This bag has nearly 6,000 five-star reviews, and for good reason. For my clumsy gals, this luggage is made of 100 percent polycarbonate, an extremely resilient material that's hard to crack or break (bless). It has two large fully-lined compartments with multiple pockets, plus a zippered divider to secure all of your fabulous, well-planned outfits. Plus, it's a great value for the price and comes in lots of colors.
| Dimensions | 25 x 17.5 x 11.5 inches |
|---|---|
| Weight | 10.2 pounds |
| Colors | 10 |
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What's better, hard or soft luggage?
To be totally honest, the debate of hard vs. soft luggage is kind of pointless—all that matters is your personal preference! Softside luggage is easier to maneuver into smaller spaces and less vulnerable to scratches, but hardside luggage really protects your stuff.
Personally, I love hard luggage when I'm traveling somewhere I need to get to by plane—I'd rather have all of my belongings encased in something I know will protect them from turbulence and being thrown around by airline employees. But for road trips and other similar excursions, I'd rather choose a soft piece of luggage—that way I can squish it in a trunk or nook without a problem. Softside suitcases also tend to have outer pockets, which are key for storing things you'll need to grab in a pinch, like your passport.
Why trust Cosmo?
As you probably know, Cosmo's lifestyle team spends all day, every day scouring the internet, testing products, and reading reviews so we can bring you the type of high-quality content we'd want for ourselves (and our standards are preeeetty darn high, TBH).
It's also really important to us that each of our shopping articles adheres to the 15 Percent Pledge, and we try to make sure the products we feature are good for both you and our planet. If we wouldn't buy something for ourselves, we sure as heck won't recommend it to you—and we're always gonna keep it really, really real. Pinky swear.
Elizabeth Gulino is a freelance journalist who specializes in topics relating to wellness, sex, relationships, work, money, lifestyle, and more. Most recently, she was a senior writer at Refinery29 and has previously worked for House Beautiful, Complex, Men's Journal, and The Hollywood Reporter. When she's not writing, she's hanging out with friends, trying new restaurants, or exploring New York City, where she resides.
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